Mather Tower, Chicago, IL

Comprehensive investigation of the architectural terra cotta, limestone, and brick masonry cladding on the exterior of this 42-story historic structure located in downtown Chicago, IL. Initial involvement included responding to an emergency situation whereby the City of Chicago had closed Wacker Drive in front of the building due to the possibility of loose terra cotta falling from the building. Included inspecting 100% of the terra cotta cladding on the perimeter of this large building. Involved considerable interface with the City of Chicago Department of Buildings, Landmarks Division of the Department of Planning, and the Law Department. Problems in the terra cotta had arisen due to corrosion of the steel supports for that cladding and corrosion of the steel frame of the building, as well as freeze-thaw degradation of the underlying brick masonry backup materials.Project included preparation of very detailed contract plans and specifications for repair of the architectural terra cotta, limestone, and brick masonry cladding for the entire building, followed by construction observation services during the performance of the repair work on the 24-story base of the building. Contract value of this work was approximately $9,000,000. The restoration contractor for the base of the building was the Berglund Maintenance Company, of Chicago, IL. Restoration of the tower section of the building was completed at a later date by Mark 1 Restoration, also of Chicago, IL.

The restoration of the Mather Tower was awarded a National Preservation Award in 2006 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The following is the press release associated with that award

National Trust Presents National Preservation Honor Award to Mather Tower in Chicago

Pittsburgh, Pa. (November 2, 2006) – Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation presented Mather Tower in Chicago its prestigious National Preservation Honor Award. The project was one of 21 national award winners honored by the National Trust during its week-long 2006 National Preservation Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Completed in 1928, the 41-story Mather Tower is Chicago's most slender and distinctive skyscraper, with its octagonal-shaped, telescoping "needle" tower and Gothic-inspired cream-colored ornament. Once the tallest building in Chicago, it is also the skinniest – the building's site is only 65 feet wide by 100 feet deep. With a fine perch on the Chicago River, a half-block from the Michigan Ave. Bridge, Mather Tower, constructed as an office building by railroad car tycoon Alonzo Mather, was part of an unparalleled ensemble of early skyscrapers, which includes the Wrigley Building and the Tribune Tower.

Everyone agreed that the Mather Tower was great to look at, but making it work was something else. Its needle-like spire gave the skyscraper a distinctive silhouette – but floors in the spire were too small for most tenants. By the 1990s, Mather Tower had fallen into considerable disrepair with chunks of the terra-cotta skin falling off, sparking calls for demolition. The condition of the 45-foot-high terra-cotta crown at the top of the building was so serious that it had to be completely removed, and there was talk that the entire 17 stories of the "needle" tower would also be dismantled.

The building looked like a goner – but today it's very much alive, still a stunning presence on the Windy City skyline. In 2000, Masterworks Development Corporation stepped in to purchase Mather Tower, undertaking a complete rehabilitation of the building. Utilizing federal tax credits and city incentives, the structure's lower half has been rehabbed as first-class office space, while the upper half is a hotel that makes good use of the small floors and provides economic viability. Outside, the ornate terra-cotta cladding has been cleaned and repaired. Topping the tower with flair, the four-story "crown" that had been removed years earlier has been reconstructed – a process that required dramatic helicopter lifts since the cramped site couldn't accommodate a crane.

"In a city known for its historic architecture and preservation, the rehabilitation of the Mather Tower stands out," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "Carl Sandburg may have called Chicago the 'city of the big shoulders' – but the restored Mather Tower proves that a skinny guy can turn heads too."

The National Preservation Awards are bestowed on distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage. These efforts include citizen attempts to save and maintain important landmarks; companies and craftsmen whose work restores the richness of the past; the vision of public officials who support preservation projects and legislation in their communities; and educators and journalists who help Americans understand the value of preservation.

Thos. Rewerts & Co., LLC913-424-5180​t.rewerts@rewerts.com

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